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Monday, February 7, 2011

Former Zinc Bistro Chef Lands at Match Works Tavern

For nearly a decade, Tom Quick ran the popular Concord restaurant Epiq Bistro. He lasted less than six months as chef of Zinc Bistro (668 Euclid Ave., 216.583.9462, zinccleveland.com).

"It wasn't a good fit," Quick says of his fall departure from the still-new Cleveland restaurant.

It did not take long for the chef to land elsewhere, however. On February 3, Quick opened the Match Works Tavern (8500 Station St., 440-255-0400, www.matchworkstavern.com) in Mentor, located in the former home of Blue Tip Grille and Cabana's.

"I think we set a record," adds Quick, referring to the speedy turnaround. After taking possession of the space in mid-January, the team installed bamboo flooring, copper-top bar, and new booths.

Quick describes the cuisine as gastropub-esque, with more focus on wines than craft beers. The lengthy and eclectic menu features a dozen bar snacks, an equal number of small plates, and even more pastas and entrees. Apart from a meaty T-bone steak that nets $24, nothing on the menu climbs above $18, with most coming in less than $16.